Borough Life Spring 2006: Prevention saves lives
Thousands of Wigan households are dicing with death simply because they haven’t got round to fitting a smoke alarm, according to local fire chiefs.
But now help is at hand for those at risk. Firefighters have been called out to deal with 437 domestic house fires in the past eighteen months across our borough.
Now they are mounting a campaign to alert people to a new free service that could dramatically cut that number.
Any private householder who hasn’t got a smoke alarm can ask for a home visit from a fire prevention team to assess the chances of a fire starting in their home. The team will fit up to two free smoke alarms and give fire safety advice to householders.
Fire officers believe that the number of fire deaths and injuries would be drastically cut if everyone had a working smoke alarm.
Wigan fire chief John Harding said: “Not having a working smoke alarm is equivalent to driving without a seat belt.
“We have come to realise that the only way to stop people dying in fires is to stop people having them. Correctly fitted smoke alarms give very early warning of fire and really do save lives.”
Anyone wanting a free home visit can ring the Target Fire phoneline on 0800 555 815. Alternatively they can complete an application form on line by going to the Fire Authority’s main website at www.manchesterfire.gov.uk then clicking on Target Fire.
The service is open to any private home owner. All council tenants already have smoke alarms fitted a few years ago by Wigan Council.